Facebook’s free-internet project Internet.org is now called Free Basics. It’s a controversial $1 billion project that is somewhat a huge marketing stunt for Facebook, some say.
Free Basics is almost two-years old today and it aims to bring free internet access to about four billion people on the planet. Four billion people who didn’t have the means to access the internet prior to Facebook’s meddling.
Facebook’s project is aimed especially at Asian emerging markets. This seems like an extraordinarily awesome thing, but users will only be allowed to use Facebook services and a few select websites for jobs, information, updates on sports and health related issues. At least, that’s what their initial statement said.
In essence, the whole issue is about net neutrality. If Facebook is pushing their services, and only theirs, it will have the power to dictate what content is accessible through their project. This means more exposure and money for them and their partners.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder and CEO, took to write an editorial piece in two Indian newspapers after Free Basics launched in the country. He defended he company’s project, but received a ton of flack mainly because users can’t access Google.
However, according to a message posted on the project’s official website change is coming. Zuckerberg took to Facebook to post what this entails.
Basically, any developer that wants his services to be included in Internet.org can do so. According to the Facebook post, everything is encrypted and the platform now supports HTTPS web services.
More so, the motive behind renaming the project is as simple as it gets. They want it to be crystal clear that every app used via Internet.org is free and that they provide basic services that every individual has a right to access.
Those strict guidelines seem to be getting loosened up. How much, we don’t know yet, but it’s a step forward.
Free Basics is available across 19 countries, offering more than 60 services.
As of 25th of September 2015, Facebook’s Free Basics can be accessed across 19 countries, offering more than 60 services – people that reside in Asia, Africa and Latin America can take full advantage of Free Basics.
Facebook has allied itself with tech giants such as Ericsson, Qualcomm and Samsung to provide the very best connection.
Zuckerberg ends his Facebook post by saying that connectivity isn’t a thing that should be seen as an obstacle in this day and age. It’s not and end. It’s more about what people do with the possibility of connecting to resources, free knowledge on the internet.
Raising a healthy family may be a given in first world countries, but, unfortunately, it’s not something that emerging markets are all that used to.
